BRADENTON — At Tuesday's Manatee County Commission meeting, board members were given a presentation on a planned park in northwest Manatee County, the cost of which surprised at least one commissioner.
Deputy County Administrator Brian Parnell introduced the presentation as "informational" and said that in addition to introducing the concept, he had a request for more initial funding "to move forward with more detailed planning design and initial construction activities."
The park, which has evolved in somewhat different visions since last summer, will be mostly passive, featuring walking paths and a boardwalk on 24 acres. There will also be a 12,000 square foot veterans center/welcome area on the premises. The concept is inspired by Veterans Memorial Park and Museum in Hillsborough County.
After the initial presentation, Commissioner Jason Bearden immediately moved to approve the requested $4 million in funding. Commission Chair Mike Rahn nearly allowed a vote without discussion but ultimately allowed Commissioner George Kruse to weigh in before the vote was cast.
Kruse questioned exactly what taxpayers would be getting for the initial $4 million and said that he couldn't understand how $4 million could be spent on the entire park as he had envisioned it from previous discussions, let alone on planning and design (see video below).
When asked what the total cost would be, Parnell answered $30 million. He added that they only really needed $2.5 million for planning and design but wanted a cushion of $1.5 million to begin some elements of construction in order to "prove the viability of the project."
When asked where the rest of the $30 million was going to come from, county administrator Charlie Bishop chimed in, telling commissioners that he had been having promising discussions with Congressman Vern Buchanan and another "prominent" local fund-raiser that was not named and said he was confident that a significant portion of the funding would come from state, federal, and private funding sources.
Kruse said that he supported the concept but would be much more comfortable voting on the $2.5 million that was needed for the project and extending more funding in future votes once funding sources were better understood. When it became clear that no one else shared his concerns, the item passed 7-0.
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Dianna
Only Commissioner Kruse (only person representing citizens) questioned why they needed so many additional tax dollars, the rest of our commissioners are not looking out for us and basically had no real input. Bishop stated they needed more money “so it looks like the project is working”. Citizens are not against this project, but they are questioning the amount of additional funds without a real plan. Keith Green, who is running for office, seemed right on board with funding a project on our tax dollars without asking questions, so remember that when you vote.
Tuesday, February 13 Report this
Debann
So is this a place where homeless veterans can sleep on park benches?..so HAPPY TO SEE our BOCC have OUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT WHEN IT COMES TO HELPING OUR VETERANS ...SAID NO ONE EVER.. .VOTE THESE IDIOTS OUT...STARTING WITH KVO, TURNER AND SATCHER..USELESS AND A DISGRACE..THE REST OF THE TRASH IN 2026..THEY CERTAINLY DON'T EARN THEIR PAY..WHAT DO THEY WORK 4 HOURS????..THIS WAS WHAT you wanted in a Commissioner????YOU WERE HAD....SUCKERS
Tuesday, February 13 Report this
sandy
The CFO in her comments mentioned the tiny homes as a phase in the design that Bearden proposed months ago. She got shot down immediately for that comment. A couple commissioners said no, with Rahn the only one I recognized.
Wednesday, February 14 Report this
Cat L
ffs...
I wish these people actually had a desire to know more about the things they're making decisions on. Like, more than 1 of them.
Wednesday, February 14 Report this
Rlasunto
Of course they don’t realize that nobody except homeless veterans sleeping on benches will use this park. Why go there?
No softball diamonds, tennis courts, basketball courts, pickleball courts, swimming pool or fitness center, nothing at all like Bray park which serves citizens well. There is nothing to attract people other than one visit to see where $30M was wasted. Which developer owns the land the park is going to be purchased from and the land around the park?
Maybe this will help sell houses.
Wednesday, February 14 Report this
pattybeenutty
Instead of spending the money on a park for Veterans, try spending it on housing for the homeless veterans.
Wednesday, February 14 Report this